Like the British princess, Ashli McCall has suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum during pregnancy, and she says proper treatment can prevent abortions.

HILLARY SENOUR/CNA/EWTN

DENVER — The Duchess of Cambridge’s stay in the hospital for severe morning sickness could help other women avoid aborting their children, according to author Ashli McCall, who has experienced the condition.

In a Dec. 3 announcement, a representative for the British royal family confirmed the pregnancy of the Duchess of Cambridge, but also said that the princess has been hospitalized with hyperemesis gravidarum.

The illness, which is a severe form of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, affects less than 2% of pregnancies and is often underdiagnosed, causing some women to abort their children.

Ashli McCall, an author and hyperemesis gravidarum sufferer, suggested that the duchess’ illness might serve to draw much-needed public attention to this serious illness.

McCall, who is a home-schooling mother and cancer survivor, said that her bouts with the illness during her four pregnancies were the “most atrocious physical ailment” she has ever experienced.

She described the illness as “hell on earth that others simply cannot imagine unless they themselves have been where Kate Middleton and so many of us have been.”

Depending on the severity of the illness, women may suffer from frequent vomiting, the loss of more than 10% of their body weight, dehydration and even hallucinations, all of which can put the health of the mother and child at risk.

During her first pregnancy, McCall knew something was wrong when she suffered from constant nausea and vomiting.

Her doctor failed to properly treat the illness, assuming it was just morning sickness. Four months into her pregnancy, McCall had lost 14% of her body weight, could not eat or drink and was experiencing hallucinations.

Doctors were skeptical of her illness and said she must be suffering so much because the child was unplanned and that she made up the illness in her mind.

“There is very little sympathy for this disease because too many people truly believe it to be normal morning sickness,” she said.

Abortion Resulted

Although her fourth pregnancy was the worst case of the illness her doctor had ever seen, it was her first pregnancy that “ended very regretfully in abortion.”

While family and friends were supportive of her during cancer recovery, McCall said that during her first pregnancy “the people in my life did not understand what was happening to me.”

Her experience “triggered a desperate search for information,” but she was surprised to find no body of research compiled on the disease.

Determined to help other women and children avoid her experience, McCall researched and wrote the “first and currently only comprehensive guide” to the illness for patients and family members, Beyond Morning Sickness: Battling Hyperemesis Gravidarum.

“If I had possessed such information in my first pregnancy it would not have ended the way it did,” she said.

Aside from the physical anguish women can experience with this illness, there is also a “negative and crippling social aspect” that is “often ignored.”

“Not only was I sick with the most bewildering and horrible illness I had ever had in my life, I was also victimized by unfounded prejudice and, on occasion, harmful comments,” she said.

McCall has authored a children's book, Mama Has Hyperemesis Gravidarum (But Only for a While). Another book, The Chronicles of Nausea, is currently in the works and will be released in January. All proceeds of her books go to helping others suffering from the illness.

Thanks to her personal research and the publication of her book, McCall has been able to connect with other women who have battled similar cases as hers.

“The feedback I received was phenomenal, and I have the priceless gift of having been in the delivery room watching children who were scheduled to be aborted be born instead,” she said.

Raising Awareness

McCall said she hopes that good may come out of Princess Kate’s illness, as well, by raising awareness about hyperemesis gravidarum.

Had she known about the proper treatment for the illness, McCall and her first child could have been spared the tragedy of an abortion.

“If people could get the care they needed,” she said, “more mothers and children would be spared the pain of exacerbated suffering and unwanted abortion,” she said.

While every pregnancy is different, McCall said, women who have experienced the illness on one occasion seem to be more susceptible for it reappearing.

“This could be bad news for Kate Middleton,” McCall said. “Hopefully, she will be one of the lucky ones and have normal future pregnancies.”

Thank you, NCR, for printing this beautifully compassionate and informative article. Please pray for all women who are pregnant to choose life. I have read that 15% of women with Hyperemesis Gravidum choose abortion out of a lack of proper medical care and the severity of suffering that accompanies Hyperemesis Gravidum. Probably 95-98% are very tempted by the thought, even with proper medical care. It is that difficult and challenging. I have faced this myself, and while I never considered abortion due to my faith and deep revulsion of the horror of abortion, I can see how very great the temptation would be if one did NOT have faith in God, did NOT have any family or friends to support her, and was not being taken seriously by medical professionals. A very few serious cases can result in Wernicke’s Encephalopathy, a type of brain damage, and liver, kidney, gallbladder, esophageal, stomach, and teeth and gingiva (gums) can be permanently damaged as well. Also, in some cases, it persists beyond pregnancy. Women have also been known to suffer Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from this condition.

One of the absolute worst things that a person can do when a woman has Hyperemesis is to minimize her suffering by suggesting ginger, crackers, homeopathic remedies, “small, frequent meals”, toast, or other remedies that seem to help with Morning Sickness. Hg is not helped by these things, and different things will help different women. Things that do help: Zofran pills (for some women); a Zofran pump; IV fluids; a PICC line (for IV fluids); a port (a surgically implanted IV site); nj feeding tube that goes directly into the small intestine and bypasses the stomach; TPN (IV nutrition); Reglan; Prednilsone (and other steroids); B6 vitamin; Unisom; and Dramamine.

Friends and family should consider stopping by to help with the dishes and laundry, take out the garbage, and sweep the floor, and to bring the mother any food or drink that she might think that she wants, even if it sounds odd. Also, friends and family can help by taking other children for outings, or simply bringing them over to their house so the mother can get some rest. Noise and commotion, and a dirty house can make Hyperemesis so much worse. Friends and family can also help by bringing her ice water (or whatever beverage she can tolerate), and offering to clear moldy food out of her refrigerator. Non-smelly meals for her family (such as already-cooked foods) might be a blessing too. Ask her what sorts of things she thinks she could tolerate. Do not try to cook in her kitchen or leave a crockpot simmering in her house, though, and do not clean with anything other than soap and water, as cleaning agents can often exacerbate her nausea. Another helpful thing would to offer to pick up things at the grocery store or to ask her if she needs any errands run. Family and friends can also ask if she would like them to stop by and visit (remember, no wearing perfume or scented products). Friends could also offer to help her to get ready for a doctor’s appointment and take her to the appointment and/or watching her children while she is at a doctor’s appointment.

She may have radical ups and downs in her condition, so if you see her at a social function one night, don’t be surprised if she is in the hospital for IV fluids the next. For the friends and family who don’t live close by, you can support her by calling, writing, e-mailing, and sending her a care package (without scented items in it). Even if you don’t have a friend or family member with Hg, you can support all women with Hyperemesis by showering, not using scented products, such as lotions, perfumes, or colognes, and by using good dental hygiene, and by not getting too close to pregnant women, and by not smoking in public places or at public events.

Posted by Rosemary on Friday, Dec, 7, 2012 4:01 PM (EST):

Mary Ann - Taking the life or another human being is NEVER an acceptable option. Abortion is chosen and a direct violation against the Commandment of God. All must adhere to these commandments for protection and happiness.
Do you know the many risks women face under the abortionist knife? Many women have lost their lives. Many are mangled for life and can never conceive of another child. Many never bond with their subsequent children. Abortion increases the risk of breast cancer. Women suffer extreme grief from their abortions and become depended on drugs, alchohol or commit suicide. Abortions are a great rupture in the life of a woman and society. Don’t make excuses for aborting a baby, I beg you.

Posted by M.W. on Friday, Dec, 7, 2012 7:42 AM (EST):

Hyperemesis gravidum is indeed a very serious illness that can result in servere maternal wt loss. I was fortunate to have had 3 uncomplicated pregnancies but many other women do not. Loving spiritual support is needed for these women. Unfortunately, with the new HHS Healthcare mandate there will be more abortions encouraged due to the “expense” invoved to keep these babies who need it alive. Agenda 21 is also creeping into our culture. If you don’t know what it is look it up. Educate yourself. These are serious issues that will be forced upon us as a nation before we have a chance to refuse them. “Free” medical service comes with a hefty price…watch and see.

Posted by Esther Davis on Friday, Dec, 7, 2012 12:16 AM (EST):

I agree with all of you that the nausea experienced in pregnancy is one of the worst things a woman can go through at the time. I had this sickess with all 4 of my pregnancies, especially when I came in contact with the smell of coffee and nicotine from smokers. I almost lost my third child at 6 months, due to this illness. I was not allowed to do any housework, or anything else for 3 months. My husband took care of everything, including 2 children ages 4 and 5. It is most debilitating, and especially when one also has the meiniers desease, which i have too. May more people come to know how to deal with this, and give no consideration to abortion. That thought never entered my mind.

Posted by Sue (old) on Thursday, Dec, 6, 2012 7:58 PM (EST):

I have heard of this illness while being pregnant, but did not know it was as bad as those mentioned above. Pregnancy is so different for each person. I, personally, never had morning sickness and had easy births, therefore it makes me wonder why this happens to some women. There must be a biological reason and maybe someday the Medical world will find out. My heart goes out to those who do have this problem and how another person could criticize them is unbelievable. At the time I had my children I was 5"1” and weighed 103 lbs. People would say to me “you are so tiny, how could you carry a baby?” Well, I did. God Bless All Our Mothers!

Posted by William J Quinn on Thursday, Dec, 6, 2012 3:19 PM (EST):

As a male, I stand in awe and reverence before all mothers. I could never be that brave and heroic.

Posted by Mary Ann on Thursday, Dec, 6, 2012 2:35 PM (EST):

Rosemary, a little mercy, please! I think Ashli McCall has recognized that her abortion was not the result she wanted, and she is doing her best to bring attention to her illness to help other women not fall into the same trap. And Amy is sharing a little about her own suffering. Can we please stop pointing fingers and try to understand people’s situation?

Posted by Rosemary on Thursday, Dec, 6, 2012 11:44 AM (EST):

Abortion Resulted is this an article to ‘sugar coat’ abortion? Was it a miscarriage or was abortion chosen?
Amy, women have been giving birth since the beginning of time. These sufferings are due to the fall of our first parents - a consequence of original sin.
You say you do not want more chilren. What does God desire for you and your family? There is no better gift to the family than the gift of another brother or sister. The world is in desperate need of children, Amy.

Posted by Amy on Thursday, Dec, 6, 2012 11:29 AM (EST):

My prayers go out to all who suffer like the Dutchess. I cannot imagine going through this type of pregnancy. As the mother of seven and one in the way (plus 8 babies in heaven), I know how difficult pregnancy can be WITHOUT any further complications. You ladies are heroic. God bless each of you.

I suffer from Menieres Disease and I know how terrible an acute attack can be. Often the condition is worse during pregnancy, thankfully that has never been the case for me. It took a long time for the Menieres to be diagnosed. I was told that I had psychological issues and nothing physically wrong with me. It took losing my hearing to get a doctor to finally listen to me (and it was still 6 months after the hearing loss! It was assumed my loss of hearing was more psychological problems). I know how a pregnant woman in this culture is viewed when problems arise. Abortion has become the cure all. I’ve been pressed by doctors to consider abortion with far less severe complications than you ladies have experienced. As I said, you ladies are my heroes. Thank God you were strong enough to carry your babies

Posted by Amy on Thursday, Dec, 6, 2012 10:23 AM (EST):

I totally agree that a greater emphasis needs to
be placed on making pregnancy & childbirth
a better experience for women. I have 7 children & was
very sick for 5 months for each pregnancy. My births were
also very painful. I use NFP & do not want anymore children.
I love my children, but a lack of empathy & support really
have played in my decision not to have anymore. I can understand
why women without faith would not want to give birth.

Posted by Mary Weaver Mann on Thursday, Dec, 6, 2012 9:23 AM (EST):

She should consult the Queen’s physician about the homeopathic remedy ipecac, which is a very good match for morning sickness. The British royal family has used this system of medicine since the good results homeopathic physicians had during a cholera epidemic in 1858.

Posted by Merrilyn on Wednesday, Dec, 5, 2012 10:33 PM (EST):

I really hope Kate doesn’t suffer this terrible condition throughout her entire pregnancy like I did. I also hope that Kate is able to raise awareness of HG to improve understanding so that hurtful comments are not being made to sufferers. Additional funding for research to prevent this illness or reduce its severity would be a wonderful outcome not so much for current patients but for the next generation to come, particularly considering it is thought there is a genetic link. It is great that many abortions can now be saved through proper recognition and treatment of HG. However, even with treatment it can be a very long and difficult 9 months depending on how well you respond to medication. I personally know of other women, besides myself, who would love to have more children but have avoided pregnancy because of the fear of going through the experience again. It is debilitating with many women having to resign from work and rely on whatever support they have to get them through the pregnancy. There are social and financial issues to also cope with. My best explanation of the illness is like having food poisoning for 9 months. You can’t leave the house except for medical appointments or hospital treatment. Turning over in bed would make me vomit. Having a shower would make me vomit. Noise and light would make things worse. I have previously had 4 months of chemotherapy for a rare cancer and while I also had severe nausea and vomiting with this, to the point it required hospitalisation and IV fluids, it was actually not as bad as the HG. There were breaks between each chemo cycle which gave me a break from the nausea and vomiting. There was no relief from the HG for the entire 9 months. If people new that it is just as bad as the nausea and vomiting that can be a side effect from chemo then perhaps they wouldn’t just assume these women are exaggerating their suffering.

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